This past weekend brought a summer feast of art exhibitions all over town, some with potent topical messages.

Loft at Liz’s

The 11th annual “Diverted Destruction” exhibition at Loft at Liz’s featured works made of found, discarded or recycled items, and a found-object giveaway drawing crowds angling for cool-looking glass door knobs, American Spirit packages, door hinges, even panes of stained glass. But beyond the grab and go, powerful work by nine female artists examined themes of ecology, immigration and war. Curator and gallerist Liz Gordon was inspired by Ai Wei Wei documentary Human Flow. Excitement was palpable as the packed house noshed on tasty homemade stuffed grape leaves and big cookies, viewing works including tactile fabric-based sculptural art from Diane Williams and Ching Ching Chen, and Camilla Taylor’s riveting inky black paper pulp figurative sculptures.

Diane Williams

At TAG Gallery, the Lyme Away 3 Fundraiser featured live music, a bevy of wines, salads and snacks, with over 135 works of art donated by LA-based artists to benefit young mom Nicole Saari’s battle against late-stage Lyme disease. From Surrealist oil paintings to wooden sculptures, lush floral photographs, theater and Dodgers tickets, there was plenty to browse for supportive artists and art lovers roaming the airy space. Gallery director Rakeem Cunningham and artist Linda Sue Price–whose abstract neon Connections is on exhibit—joined the lively crowd in scoring art finds and posing for live pyrographic art created by Zachary Aronson.

Dee Balson Mollett, Elizabeth Patterson, Nadege Monchera Baer, Catherine Ruane

 Artists Catherine Ruane, Kim Kei, and Molly Segal presided over their open studio exhibition Sunday in DTLA. Each artist’s distinct vision engaged guests in lengthy conversations about process and influence, from the location of koi fish to Hieronymus Bosch, all discussed over wine and cheese at a convivial all-day event—views of the city skyline were an added bonus.

Samuelle Richardson, Cathy Immordino, Diane Cockerwill

 And at mid-town’s MuzeuMM, the Jewish Arts Initiative presented FLASHPOINTS: A Collective Response, focusing on civil rights, water and human rights among other pertinent topics. Five vast murals from the 2017 Jerusalem Biennale, along with 16 additional artworks by LA-based JAI members drew an overflow crowd. Viewers enjoyed stuffed peppers, mini-Caprese appetizers and Kosher wine in the sunny courtyard and gallery, chatted with curators and watched a poignant performance art piece by a caged Doni Silver Simons.